I lived there in Nicaragua 2017 to 2019. I loved it there. My dad is still there, Sn Jorge at the port of Ometepee, love it. He has a farm for sale in Tola. The funny thing is we are from the Ozarks ! Who would think it, lol? This is a big secret it is as beautiful as Costa Rica, just a lot cheaper! Please go visit dads Hotel there .. Southern Nights in Sn Jorge ..
Another great video. I was just going to ask you if you were still going out looking at houses/property :) I love seeing these properties. I can't wait to get my feet on the ground and actually see these things in person. I do have a question for my first trip, if you don't mind. What do you recommend for finding a rental for my first visit? Do I need to be there to find one? I'd like a long term in Leon. I want to check out the country before I purchase.
I try to when I get the time! Yes, a long term rental you basically have to be here. Short term, AirBnB tends to work. But anything longer or a really good deal, being here in person works far better. There's just no way to get an apparentment at a reasonable price otherwise.
I’m still waiting for my coffee. I informed you of the fact that both oceans can be scene from a top of volcán Buru. Something that you said you doubted.. of course you were wrong and I was correct.
So, I'm just switching my retirement choice from Mexico to Nicaragua as a direct result of watching your videos, so THANK YOU! I'm coming with j7st $1,300/month income from Social security and a small child support payment, and am on the lowest budget I can imagine anyone doing this, so any additional costs are scary for me, having no savings, as well. I was surprised to see that the US requires a certified birth certificate for a passport, and that it's an additional $100-160 cost, depending on expedited shipping requirements. This video is muy importante for folks like me, so again...thanks! Look for a coffee on me in the near future, as soon as I can afford it, lol!
Wow, that's awesome. If you are on a tight budget, Nicaragua is definitely going to be more affordable than Mexico. Mexico is quite spendy these days with the peso being so strong. If you are coming from the US, those monthly dollars don't go far like they used to. Honestly $1300/mo is more than a few people that I know. Someone in the community here is around $850/mo. Most Nicaraguans are below $1300 even for combined family incomes. You won't have "make it rain" money, but $1300 is VERY livable here. Considering you don't need a car in most of the country (consider public transport when picking a location) and good, safe housing even in gated communities can be found for around $200/mo you've got some flexibility on style of living, style of housing, etc.
I just had a quick look at Airbnbs in Leon and, wow, they're very expensive. A lot more than a number of other countries in Latin America. Similar rates to those in Mexico, whose airbnbs are very expensive for Latin America at the moment.
That's not so much a price comparison as a cultural one. AirBnB isn't really used here so what little bit you find is extreme high end stuff with no competition. It's actually because Nicaragua is so much cheaper and less touristy that looking at that one site will make it seem expensive because there's no significant airbnb market here. So instead of seeing the mid range of the market you are seeing the extreme top end. Actual prices are SO much lower than those other places. But we don't use the same tools.
@@ScottAlanMillerVlog That makes sense. Thanks for the reply. So it might be a bit awkward as a "digital nomad" destination for a few months; it sounds better suited to those wishing to move and settle. But I had a look at Managua afterwards, and it seems to be cheaper than Leon for Airbnbs, probably due to the higher supply of properties.
I lived in Nicaragua for a couple years in the late 1990´s, but I never did any tourist things and I didn’t live in the tourist areas (l lived in Estelí, Juigalpa, Tipitapa, Managua). The last time I visited was 2001 and those visits were just visiting friends and a college research study. I’m bring some people down this summer and I’m trying to get a handle on a couple tourist things. The only tourist information I have is from CZcams videos like yours (thank you) and internet. All the internet stuff I find seems to be way over priced. I’d love any recommendations you have but specifically I’m wondering if you have any recommendations for groups to volcano board Cerró Negro and/or Canopy Tours. We plan to visit southern Nicaragua (Granada, Ometepe, San Juan del Sur) along with Leon and Estelí.
Volcano Boarding isn't "expensive", but it's not super cheap. Guides are a legal requirement now (too many injuries or lost people.) Bigfoot Hostel and Volcano Day are your choices for that on Cerro Negro. Canopy Tours, I'm not sure, those tend to be far from here so I don't have connections.
I LOVE YOUR COMMENTS ON REAL ESTATE..as a past investor of fixer uppers and a Broker for almost 30 years I have found that most people do things on emotion not actual facts and it is very difficult to make them realize that...having said that I've seen places in Nicaragua on the web across the street from the bus depo for $150 un furnished and lots of bars and others in the outer parts for 125 to 300 for a single person..which is me so..I think its doable but yea if you want the same as you have in USA with more security then it may cost a bit more lol.. My daughter was paying $1400 a mo nth for a 1 bedroom in a triplex in Portland
I’ll be there during the last week of June to view homes. Are you saying the list prices online are not the actual prices wanted by seller, but the realtor?
Im saying the degree of fake is generally so high that trying to ascertain anything from it is a fools errand. Often the listings aren't even real houses!
Well that’s different hahahahahaha. So scamming is an issue out there…. That’s a worthy topic. Because once a person commits to a trip or more…. Money is gone.
In the real estate game when it comes to foreigners, scamming is THE business. As foreigners aren't allowed to work regular salaried jobs in Nicaragua, those that are destitute turn to the one income source that exists: expats who will pay outside of the country. Since that's not how real estate works in Nicaragua, the entire game is to trick potential buyers BEFORE they come and see Nicaragua for themselves so that they can get them hooked on false information and contracts before they realize the entire mechanism is a scam. I've got SO many videos on this, lol.
Finding a "flat" is hard just because the market is 99.9% houses and apartments / flats are insanely rare. There's only a handful in the city. And none are sold, they are only rented. The concept of selling a flat all but doesn't exist in the country. There are a handful of condominum buildings in Managua. Super rare and mostly brand new. Not a single one in Leon, Chinandega, Matagalpa, Jinotega, Esteli, etc. But can you buy a fully detached HOUSE for that amount? Yes, anywhere in the country.
Have you been to the oriental market in Managua I’d like to go but I’m told by my Nicaraguan friends gringos shouldn’t go there but it’s got the best deals. Let me know if they are over worrying about my safety
I've not but my wife shops there. I've been to lots of the other markets. The reason gringos shouldn't shop there is because they get gringo priced or pick pocketed. Nicaraguans aren't used to violence in daily life so they refer to things like people picking your pocket or snatching something you are carrying as "danger". There's no safety concern for the markets.
@@ScottAlanMillerVlog yea I’m not scared I walk threw the town at night near the house I don’t get scared but my futcher brother in law is very much agents me going I also want to go to a cockfight and he is like no Tom people have been shot lol
I used to have extra money and spent $1600 per month. Now, I spend $4,000 a month and sweat it every month. My rent has only increased by 100 dollars in that time. Inflation here has been horrible.
@@TheTrueTrinity888 I only spend 500 per month in rent. I don’t eat out much or drink, or smoke. I used to not even think about what I am going to eat. But now I have to count every penny. I have four in the family. One car paid for.
@@KingBravo-lo3vc I spent €96 on rent per month. I eat like 1 pound of meat a day for like €1,50. Rice is €2,50 for 2kg. And veggies similarly priced. And pure drinkable water for €2 per 18 liters. Those are my basic expenses. Around €150-200 per month. Including gym membership for €10 per month.
Alot of Narco investment in real estates, Nicaragua is in a depression due to a USA coup in 2017 and never recovered due to followed by pandemic, its said Costa Rica could have been behind it also as Nicaragua was becoming up and coming and tourist and companies were beginning to holliday and invest in the Country.
Early 2018, not 2017. The investment peak was in the first weeks of 2018. I'm sure Costa Rica wasn't behind it, but that the US was, obviously. Costa Rica really isn't worried about Nicaragua taking their tourism, it would just grow the region.
There's almost nothing for 40 Cordoba and thats more than one US dollar and almost $1.40 Canadian dollar. In my book, when you can barely have anything for a dollar, not even a pineapple, Yes, the country is expensive.
You are defining expensive in terms of "what is a dollar worth". That's the value of the currency, not that those things are expensive. To be expensive it has to cost more than other things or more than in other places. Nicaragua is the cheapest country in the western hemisphere (or many second after Colombia) and one of the lower cost in the world. There is no possible definition of expensive that can make Nicaragua even "normal", only "cheap" or "holy crap so cheap." Inflation doesn't make things cost more, it makes you more poor. To someone who is impoverished, everything seems expensive. But that doesn't mean it is expensive.
A beer in the bar , try and buy a beer in the bar for 35 cordobas in Canada. Don’t let the gringos sell you anything. They will rip you off every time. The Americans selling things, or the Canadians selling things aren’t your friends.
Hello! I am an artist too! Can’t wait to paint a mural in NICA!
Many thanks for again covering my question, Scott! I think others will find it really helpful too. ✌
You bet! It's proven to be a very popular episode too!
Thanks Scott! Great video, so much info! 🙌🌸
I lived there in Nicaragua 2017 to 2019. I loved it there. My dad is still there, Sn Jorge at the port of Ometepee, love it. He has a farm for sale in Tola. The funny thing is we are from the Ozarks ! Who would think it, lol? This is a big secret it is as beautiful as Costa Rica, just a lot cheaper! Please go visit dads Hotel there .. Southern Nights in Sn Jorge ..
That's your dad? That's cool, everyone knows that hotel! It's pretty famous.
I will! Headed that way, love the Ozarks! Send me a link or something!
I can't wait to see some houses!!! 😊
I just found a beachfront lot for 16k. Sounds pretty affordable to me!
And that's not even like a super deal! That's not bad for a beach lot. Many are more than that. But cheaper than that is out there, too!
Another great video. I was just going to ask you if you were still going out looking at houses/property :) I love seeing these properties.
I can't wait to get my feet on the ground and actually see these things in person. I do have a question for my first trip, if you don't mind. What do you recommend for finding a rental for my first visit? Do I need to be there to find one? I'd like a long term in Leon. I want to check out the country before I purchase.
I try to when I get the time! Yes, a long term rental you basically have to be here. Short term, AirBnB tends to work. But anything longer or a really good deal, being here in person works far better. There's just no way to get an apparentment at a reasonable price otherwise.
I’m still waiting for my coffee. I informed you of the fact that both oceans can be scene from a top of volcán Buru. Something that you said you doubted.. of course you were wrong and I was correct.
Baru.
So, I'm just switching my retirement choice from Mexico to Nicaragua as a direct result of watching your videos, so THANK YOU! I'm coming with j7st $1,300/month income from Social security and a small child support payment, and am on the lowest budget I can imagine anyone doing this, so any additional costs are scary for me, having no savings, as well. I was surprised to see that the US requires a certified birth certificate for a passport, and that it's an additional $100-160 cost, depending on expedited shipping requirements. This video is muy importante for folks like me, so again...thanks! Look for a coffee on me in the near future, as soon as I can afford it, lol!
Wow, that's awesome. If you are on a tight budget, Nicaragua is definitely going to be more affordable than Mexico. Mexico is quite spendy these days with the peso being so strong. If you are coming from the US, those monthly dollars don't go far like they used to.
Honestly $1300/mo is more than a few people that I know. Someone in the community here is around $850/mo. Most Nicaraguans are below $1300 even for combined family incomes. You won't have "make it rain" money, but $1300 is VERY livable here. Considering you don't need a car in most of the country (consider public transport when picking a location) and good, safe housing even in gated communities can be found for around $200/mo you've got some flexibility on style of living, style of housing, etc.
I think those people would love San marcos
I just had a quick look at Airbnbs in Leon and, wow, they're very expensive. A lot more than a number of other countries in Latin America. Similar rates to those in Mexico, whose airbnbs are very expensive for Latin America at the moment.
That's not so much a price comparison as a cultural one. AirBnB isn't really used here so what little bit you find is extreme high end stuff with no competition. It's actually because Nicaragua is so much cheaper and less touristy that looking at that one site will make it seem expensive because there's no significant airbnb market here. So instead of seeing the mid range of the market you are seeing the extreme top end. Actual prices are SO much lower than those other places. But we don't use the same tools.
@@ScottAlanMillerVlog That makes sense. Thanks for the reply. So it might be a bit awkward as a "digital nomad" destination for a few months; it sounds better suited to those wishing to move and settle. But I had a look at Managua afterwards, and it seems to be cheaper than Leon for Airbnbs, probably due to the higher supply of properties.
I lived in Nicaragua for a couple years in the late 1990´s, but I never did any tourist things and I didn’t live in the tourist areas (l lived in Estelí, Juigalpa, Tipitapa, Managua). The last time I visited was 2001 and those visits were just visiting friends and a college research study. I’m bring some people down this summer and I’m trying to get a handle on a couple tourist things. The only tourist information I have is from CZcams videos like yours (thank you) and internet. All the internet stuff I find seems to be way over priced. I’d love any recommendations you have but specifically I’m wondering if you have any recommendations for groups to volcano board Cerró Negro and/or Canopy Tours. We plan to visit southern Nicaragua (Granada, Ometepe, San Juan del Sur) along with Leon and Estelí.
Volcano Boarding isn't "expensive", but it's not super cheap. Guides are a legal requirement now (too many injuries or lost people.) Bigfoot Hostel and Volcano Day are your choices for that on Cerro Negro.
Canopy Tours, I'm not sure, those tend to be far from here so I don't have connections.
I LOVE YOUR COMMENTS ON REAL ESTATE..as a past investor of fixer uppers and a Broker for almost 30 years I have found that most people do things on emotion not actual facts and it is very difficult to make them realize that...having said that I've seen places in Nicaragua on the web across the street from the bus depo for $150 un furnished and lots of bars and others in the outer parts for 125 to 300 for a single person..which is me so..I think its doable but yea if you want the same as you have in USA with more security then it may cost a bit more lol.. My daughter was paying $1400 a mo
nth for a 1 bedroom in a triplex in Portland
I rent a house in San Andre’s it’s 15 minutes from down town Managua 2 bedroom for 200 in a gated community very safe
Yeah, emotions in home buying is SO dangerous!
I searched for internet providers in Nicaragua but i dont see a company called techo. What is the complete name?
Nevermind. I added managua and found it.
Teko we call it. the owl
I’ll be there during the last week of June to view homes. Are you saying the list prices online are not the actual prices wanted by seller, but the realtor?
Im saying the degree of fake is generally so high that trying to ascertain anything from it is a fools errand. Often the listings aren't even real houses!
Well that’s different hahahahahaha. So scamming is an issue out there…. That’s a worthy topic. Because once a person commits to a trip or more…. Money is gone.
In the real estate game when it comes to foreigners, scamming is THE business. As foreigners aren't allowed to work regular salaried jobs in Nicaragua, those that are destitute turn to the one income source that exists: expats who will pay outside of the country. Since that's not how real estate works in Nicaragua, the entire game is to trick potential buyers BEFORE they come and see Nicaragua for themselves so that they can get them hooked on false information and contracts before they realize the entire mechanism is a scam. I've got SO many videos on this, lol.
Ok cool. I’ll look through your archives when I get a chance. I appreciate your insight.
I think the folks that comment on CZcams seem to be sane
Can i find a flat for 40-50 k around leon?
Finding a "flat" is hard just because the market is 99.9% houses and apartments / flats are insanely rare. There's only a handful in the city. And none are sold, they are only rented. The concept of selling a flat all but doesn't exist in the country. There are a handful of condominum buildings in Managua. Super rare and mostly brand new. Not a single one in Leon, Chinandega, Matagalpa, Jinotega, Esteli, etc. But can you buy a fully detached HOUSE for that amount? Yes, anywhere in the country.
Have you been to the oriental market in Managua I’d like to go but I’m told by my Nicaraguan friends gringos shouldn’t go there but it’s got the best deals. Let me know if they are over worrying about my safety
I've not but my wife shops there. I've been to lots of the other markets. The reason gringos shouldn't shop there is because they get gringo priced or pick pocketed. Nicaraguans aren't used to violence in daily life so they refer to things like people picking your pocket or snatching something you are carrying as "danger". There's no safety concern for the markets.
Go for sure it’s awesome. Like Scott said. Know your prices, or watch what others pay and give the same.
@@ScottAlanMillerVlog yea I’m not scared I walk threw the town at night near the house I don’t get scared but my futcher brother in law is very much agents me going I also want to go to a cockfight and he is like no Tom people have been shot lol
I used to have extra money and spent $1600 per month. Now, I spend $4,000 a month and sweat it every month. My rent has only increased by 100 dollars in that time. Inflation here has been horrible.
How do you spent 4000 a month, do you live in a gigantic estate?
@TheTrueTrinity888 i do and i don't spend that. wow
@@TheTrueTrinity888 I only spend 500 per month in rent. I don’t eat out much or drink, or smoke. I used to not even think about what I am going to eat. But now I have to count every penny. I have four in the family. One car paid for.
@@KingBravo-lo3vc I spent €96 on rent per month. I eat like 1 pound of meat a day for like €1,50. Rice is €2,50 for 2kg. And veggies similarly priced. And pure drinkable water for €2 per 18 liters. Those are my basic expenses. Around €150-200 per month. Including gym membership for €10 per month.
@@TheTrueTrinity888 Not sure how that adds up to $4K per month
Alot of Narco investment in real estates, Nicaragua is in a depression due to a USA coup in 2017 and never recovered due to followed by pandemic, its said Costa Rica could have been behind it also as Nicaragua was becoming up and coming and tourist and companies were beginning to holliday and invest in the Country.
Early 2018, not 2017. The investment peak was in the first weeks of 2018. I'm sure Costa Rica wasn't behind it, but that the US was, obviously. Costa Rica really isn't worried about Nicaragua taking their tourism, it would just grow the region.
There's almost nothing for 40 Cordoba and thats more than one US dollar and almost $1.40 Canadian dollar. In my book, when you can barely have anything for a dollar, not even a pineapple, Yes, the country is expensive.
You are defining expensive in terms of "what is a dollar worth". That's the value of the currency, not that those things are expensive. To be expensive it has to cost more than other things or more than in other places. Nicaragua is the cheapest country in the western hemisphere (or many second after Colombia) and one of the lower cost in the world. There is no possible definition of expensive that can make Nicaragua even "normal", only "cheap" or "holy crap so cheap." Inflation doesn't make things cost more, it makes you more poor. To someone who is impoverished, everything seems expensive. But that doesn't mean it is expensive.
A beer in the bar , try and buy a beer in the bar for 35 cordobas in Canada. Don’t let the gringos sell you anything. They will rip you off every time. The Americans selling things, or the Canadians selling things aren’t your friends.
@GoochGooch-cc7sj heck in a townie bar you can get a beer for 28 cord!!
Bottle of 600ml coke 12 cordovas
Nearly any bus station snack is just 20 cord. Sometimes 10!